Times's Karen Tumulty: Edwards v. Edwards: For combat missions in Iraq before he was against them

[flpoljunkie]

September 27, 2007 3:14

Edwards v. Edwards

Posted by Karen Tumulty

Apparently, John Edwards was for combat missions in Iraq before he was against them. In his September 7 speech on terrorism, here's what he had to say:

Even though the presence of U.S. troops has served as an attractive target for terrorists, our eventual withdrawal will not remove the threat. As president, I will redeploy troops into Quick Reaction Forces outside of Iraq, to perform targeted missions against Al Qaeda cells and to prevent a genocide or regional spillover of a civil war.

But at last night's debate, he blasted Hillary Clinton:

I heard Senator Clinton say on Sunday that she wants to continue combat missions in Iraq. To me, that's a continuation of the war. I do not think we should continue combat missions in Iraq, and when I'm on a stage with the Republican nominee come the fall of 2008, I'm going to make it clear that I'm for ending the war.

http://time-blog.com/swampland/2007/09/edwards_v_edwards_1.html

[LSparkle]

1. Let the "Swift Boating" begin ...

Other recent articles have made me lose respect for Tumulty and now this ...

[ChiciB1]

2. Sorry, I MUST Be Missing Something Here... Sounds Similar To Me!

Tumulty is a bit "off-mark" or is kissing someone's ASS!

[blm]

3. Tumulty the Tool spins again. Fascists-R-Us has been signing her paycheck for years.

.

[flpoljunkie]

9. Perhaps Edwards will contact Ms Tumulty and clarify this for her.

[Cha]

4. Yeah, the tumultyshit was out in

full force against Gore, too. Corporatemediawhores NEVER change their Stripes.

[zalinda]

5. Ah..........wait, isn't one INSIDE Iraq and one OUTSIDE

I have heard a number of politicians say that they would pull combat troops out of Iraq, and leave some outside the borders in case they were needed. Kind of like the difference between being in the playground with your kids, and watching them from a distance, to make sure there isn't any trouble.

zalinda

[jsamuel]

8. ding ding ding - You are correct!

Don't let the pesky words get in the way (Snark)

[obnoxiousdrunk]

6. So what ?

In 20 days he just changed his position. What's wrong with that ? Need to check whether there was an apology.

[jsamuel]

7. Total distortion.

Edwards: "Quick Reaction Forces outside of Iraq"

[flpoljunkie]

10. UPDATE: Edwards spokesman Eric Schultz takes strong issue with this comparison

UPDATE: Edwards spokesman Eric Schultz takes strong issue with this comparison:

"Senator Clinton keeps combat troops in Iraq. That means she continues the war. John Edwards will end the war. Being just a little bit better than the Republicans is not a good enough reason to be President of the United States."

The Edwards campaign contends that under Clinton's plan, the troops continue to be sitting ducks for Iraq insurgents; the bases become symbols of American occupation; the troops would inevitably be drawn into extra and different missions, and the Iraqis remain dependent on the U.S. presence. Under Edwards' proposal, in which the troops would be outside the country--probably in Kuwait--the mission would be far more narrowly defined: taking out an Al Qaeda safe haven, stopping genocide, and preventing the regional spillover of a civil war.

http://time-blog.com/swampland/2007/09/edwards_v_edwards_1.html